Date: 29.01.2018.

Statistics Lithuania informs that in January 2018, the consumer confidence indicator stood at minus 8, and against December 2017, remained unchanged. More pessimistic expectations for the changes in unemployment figures and possibility to make at least some savings in the coming 12 months was counterbalanced by more optimistic expectations for the country’s economic situation and households’ financial situation.

Vakaru Laivu Gamykla (Western Shipyard, or VLG), a Lithuanian shipbuilding and repairing group controlled by Estonia's BLRT Grupp, last year set up a subsidiary Vakaru Technologiniai Sprendimai (Western Technological Solutions) that will produce stainless steel and aluminum structures, informs LETA/BNS.

The energy company Adven Eesti has entered into a contract for the construction of a 1.3 million euro biofuel boiler plant in the North Estonian industrial town Kunda, half of the cost of which will be paid for by the Environmental Investments Center from the money of the European Union Structural and Investment Funds, informs LETA/BNS.

Altogether 604 counterfeit euro banknotes, 86 or 16.6% more than in 2016, were withdrawn from circulation in Estonia in 2017. The number of counterfeit euro coins withdrawn from circulation in Estonia during the year was 74, roughly as many as in 2016. The counterfeits encountered the most often were 50 euro notes, of which 486 were detected, the Estonian central bank said, cites LETA/BNS.

Economists say that Lithuania's gross domestic product (GDP) went up by around 3.5% last year from 2016, mainly driven by growing exports and still agile domestic consumption, shows a survey by BNS Lithuania, cites LETA.

Relations between Estonia and Finland are extraordinarily close, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid said in her message of congratulation to Sauli Niinisto on his reelection as the president of Finland, reports LETA/BNS.

EU economy’s future: slow but positive growthGrowth in all EU states will continue in 2019-20, though at a slower pace than before. The largest EU’s economies will grow at around 1,5-1,7%, mostly in Poland, Spain and Holland. The Baltic States’ growth will continue to be on the positive trend.